an interesting new sketchbook with brown paper pages - and hydrangea in coloured pencil


Hydrangea, coloured pencil on brown wrapping paper in A4 sketchbook, 6.5 x 5.5 inches,Vivien Blackburn

A friend, Daryl, kindly sent me this interesting sketchbook with pages that are brown wrapping paper. I rather like this paper to draw on so I thought I'd do a series of pieces in different media to see how they work.

It did quite well holding many layers of cp - the surface is fairly smooth and it worked much better than I expected. It's quite thin paper though, so wouldn't take a lot of rough handling. (Ignore the colour variations in the paper, that's my fault in the scanning/adjustment)

Now I have to try it with paint and other drawing media - I'll post some of these when I do them.

It's nice to work on a variety of papers, different colours, textures and weights.

Sorry about the absence and scarcity of posts - work is a bit hectic at the moment with a project going on and me having to work extra hours. Things should calm down next week. I also have to organise work for an upcoming show.

Comments

Anonymous said…
lovely piece of work :)
8:23 pm
Jennifer Rose said…
the paper worked well with the CPs in getting the subtle colour variations in the hydrangea :)
8:44 pm
Krista Hasson said…
Great hydrangea, interesting sketch book,. Who makes it?
9:03 pm
Lindsay said…
I always like to hear about new sketchbooks and your drawing is lovely. Can't wait to see what it does in other media.

Good luck with your up coming show.
9:36 pm
Julie Dunion said…
There is just something special about art on brown paper, that I can't quite put my finger on, and this is no exception. I've used it pastels before but had no idea it would work so well with CP. Now where did I put that roll :-)
9:37 pm
Janet Pantry said…
Love this Vivien. I'm amazed you got such lovely rich colours with pencils on this paper. More pics please!
12:30 am
Teresa Mallen said…
From what you have accomplished, this paper must be a winner! A most delicious and delightful hydrangea - in my favourite medium no less. :-)
2:47 am
vivien said…
wow! I only put this on late last night - and all these comments!

Thanks Annie, Jennifer, Krista (I don't know who makes it I'm afraid as a friend saw it in her local art shop. It doesn't have a brand name),Lindsay, Julie, Janet and Teresa. :>)

I used to do a fair bit using brown wrapping paper but haven't in a long time - it was fun.
8:25 am
Jean Spitzer said…
You are reminding me of the nice scratchy texture of brown paper, and also how nice it is to start on with that color. Lovely drawing.
5:24 pm
dinahmow said…
Looks lovely, Vivien. I have used the stiff brown paper with some good results, but the lightweight stuff just became instant papier mache when I sloshed water colour on!It will be interesting to see your test results.

(I think there is someone on Urban Sketchers who does buildings in white chalk/crayon on brown paper.)
8:23 pm
Maree Clarkson said…
Hi Vivien, as I was awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award by Crista from Nature As Is (http://nature-as-is.blogspot.com) I, in turn, have to state 7 things about myself and nominate 7 blogs of my choice, I have chosen to nominate you as one of my inspirational fellow-bloggers. Go to
http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogger-award.html view the post.

Regards
4:19 pm
vivien said…
Maree - thank you :>)

Jean and Dinah - yes it wouldn't take watercolour for sure - but probably acrylic or gouache would be ok and oil certainly would be.

Ink and chalk would be interesting ....

I just need time!
7:43 pm
dinahmow said…
Hello again! I have a few tree sketches on my blog
http://moreidlethoughts.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/viviens-tree-challenge/
10:51 pm
Laura Frankstone said…
I like your sketch very much. I, too, like that Kraft paper but it IS so thin!! I'll be amazed if you can get it to behave properly with watercolor washes--but then, you work magic all the time with your art materials, so why should this be an exception? ;D.
Good luck, Vivien, with your work and other demands.
5:41 pm
vivien said…
:>D tooo much faith Laura!

I'm tempted to try .....
7:43 am
laurel said…
I've seen those journal books and been tempted. Beautiful hydrangeas.
12:10 am
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